Junior Board Candidates

Lane Blankinship will be attending Oklahoma State University this fall where he plans to obtain a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He plans to start his own vet practice, increase his show cattle production and raise exotic deer. Lane is the son of Mark and Mandee Blankinship of Orlando, Oklahoma. Lane has been exhibiting Shorthorn cattle for the past nine years and believes his experience will help him on the junior board.

Lane has been active with his local FFA chapter, serving in multiple officer positions and winning awards for his projects. He also has been active in sports on the baseball and basketball team. He has served as the secretary and treasurer of the Oklahoma Junior Shorthorn Association.

“With the growing number of American Junior Shorthorn Association membership, the AJSA board has an opportunity to make AJSA one of the most desired junior programs,” Lane said. “With my background and experience, I think I would be a great addition to be board.”

Merideth Behrens will be attending Redlands Community College this fall on a full scholarship as an Ag Ambassador and member of the Beef Show Team. She will be studying animal science with a minor in agricultural education. Merideth is the daughter of Justin and Stephanie Behrens of Calera, Oklahoma. Merideth was raised in a Shorthorn operation and attended her first NJSS in 2012. She loved watching opening ceremonies, she thought it was one of the coolest things she had seen and still feels that way now.

Merideth has been very active in the Oklahoma Junior Shorthorn Association serving as president and vice-president. Merideth was a Shorthorn Lassie from 2016-2019. She has exhibited cattle at many local, state and national shows.

“I have learned that anyone can wear a red jacket, but it is the person in the jacket who makes the difference,” Merideth said. “I not only want to wear a red jacket, I want to represent the AJSA.”

Ryan Lane is graduating from Grove High School this year. After graduation, he will attend Northeastern Oklahoma College for two years to judge livestock. After NEO, he plans to attend Oklahoma State University to obtain a degree in agricultural business. Ryan is the son of William Lane of Jay, Oklahoma. Ryan is a third generation Shorthorn producer; his family raises commercial and registered Shorthorn and ShorthornPlus cattle.

Ryan has attended nine junior nationals and many other shows on the national level. He served on the Arkansas Junior Cattlemen’s Association board for five years and held many officer positions. Ryan was awarded the Arkansas Junior Cattlemen’s Association Breeder of the Year. He was active in 4-H and FFA serving as officers and competing in different contests. He also was a committee member for the Arkansas Spring State Fair and helped organize the team fitting contest.

“I have looked up to the members of the AJSA board, they have mentored and encouraged me and other juniors to do our best,” Ryan said. “It is my desire to be that same type of leader in this association. I want to be part of the group that makes decisions that continue to positively impact our association.”

Sheridan

Fox is graduating from BelmondKlemme Jr. Sr. High School and will be attending Iowa State University in the fall to study animal science. Her goal is to become a pharmaceutical rep after she graduates from college. Sheridan is the daughter of Brian and Emily Fox of Kanawha, Iowa. Sheridan has shown Shorthorns for many years and exhibited champions all over the country.

Sheridan has been active within the Iowa Junior Shorthorn Association, even serving a vice-president. She has also been active with the Belmond-Klemme FFA Chapter and Iowa Hawkeyes 4-H Club. She received the AJSA Red Coat Award in 2014.

“I have known that I would like to be an AJSA Director since my very first junior national when I was six years old,” Sheridan said. “I remember my first junior national when I was scared to talk to people the big kids in the red coats helped me meet new people from across the country that I can still today call my friends.”

Xavier Ferris is currently a freshman at Oklahoma State University where he is studying agricultural business. He plans to grow his Shorthorn herd while pursuing a career in the ag business field. Xavier is the son of Brian and Andrea Ferris of Whiteland, Indiana. Xavier has attended the National Junior Shorthorn Show nearly every single year since 2006. He is a seventh generation Shorthorn producer. Xavier was active in high school sports as part of the baseball and basketball time. He has been active in his community as a mentor to children with disabilities. He was also active in FFA and received many awards for livestock and leadership. “Becoming an AJSA board member has been a goal of mine since attending my first junior national in Des Moines, Iowa in 2006,” Xavier said. “I took a picture with the junior board candidates and from that moment on I knew I wanted to be a mentor to the youth. I want to be part of a group of people that want to make the Shorthorn breed the best in the industry.” =